Japan’s new ‘ugly duckling’ electronic-warfare aircraft takes to the sky

Japan’s new ‘ugly duckling’ electronic-warfare aircraft takes to the sky

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Japan’s new electronic-warfare aircraft, converted from a Kawasaki C-2 tactical cargo hauler, took to the sky for its maiden flight this week.The EC-2 plane, ridiculed by judgy aviation enthusiasts for its bumpy body, took off from Gifu Air Base on March 17, checking a key box in the envisioned plan of fielding the aircraft for operations in March 2027.The Japan Air Self-Defense Force – or JASDF for short – stated, “W…